The Golden Knights (48-22-9, 105 points) will play their final home game of the regular season at T-Mobile Arena, with the chance to clinch the Pacific Division title for the fourth time in eight years. They also have the opportunity to achieve something they haven’t done since their inaugural season: secure 29 wins at home. The Knights are set to face the Nashville Predators (29-42-8, 66 points), who arrive with a two-game winning streak after defeating the Utah Hockey Club in a shootout this past Thursday. The Predators currently sit 7th in the Central Division and are not in playoff contention.
The Return of Original Misfit, Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault returns to T-Mobile Arena for the first time since leaving the Golden Knights in July to sign a five-year, $27.5 million contract with Nashville. After being selected by the Golden Knights in the 2017 expansion draft, Marchessault has been an invaluable asset to the Vegas franchise. He became the first Golden Knight to reach the 300-point mark, scored the first natural hat trick by a VGK player in the playoffs, and was the first undrafted player since Wayne Gretzky to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in the Stanley Cup Finals.
During his time with the Golden Knights, Marchessault recorded a total of 417 points. This season, he has tallied 19 goals and 34 assists, bringing his total to 53 points with Nashville.
The Knights have welcomed back six players this season: Chandler Stephenson, Michael Amadio, Paul Cotter, Alec Martinez, William Carrier, and Logan Thompson. It’s fitting that the seventh and final player to return to the fortress is fan-favorite Jonathan Marchessault.
Here’s how the Golden Knights welcomed back Jonathan Marchessault, along with a recap of tonight’s game and post-game interviews featuring Marchessault and Bruce Cassidy:
Here is Marchessaults full tribute video and full post game locker room video.
